Survey Research: What Works for the Institutional Researcher. Institutional Research Information Series No. 1.

Suskie, Linda A.

A guide to survey research is presented for both novice and experienced researchers. Steps of the survey research process are covered: (1) planning the survey to determine the purpose of the study, collecting background information, designing the sample, and making a time line for completing the project; (2) questionnaire design, including the pros and cons of various question formats; (3) questionnaire development, including concepts such as maximizing response rate and establishing validity and reliability; (4) details of conducting a survey such as preparing a cover letter, pilot testing, and making followup mailings; (5) preparing the returned survey for data processing (editing and coding); (6) choosing the most appropriate statistical analysis for the data; and (7) reporting survey results. A question and answer format and an informal style have been used in the guide. Appendices provide: a sample time line for a survey research project, examples of questionnaires, and an example of a cover letter. (SW)